Boys’ High School save best for last

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

RUGBY

GISBORNE Boys’ High School under-15 sevens rugby team saved their best for last at the annual Sir Gordon Tietjens invitational tournament at Palmerston North.

The Wiremu Kaa-coached team started slowly, losing their first two games, to eventual winners Palmerston North and Manukura, before bouncing back to win their next three games.

Gisborne beat Tu Toa twice (pool play and fifth-versus-eighth playoff) then defeated Horowhenua College.

Poverty Bay Heartland assistant coach and GBHS u15 assistant coach Dwayne Russell said the team finished on a high.

“We came up short on our goal. However, the last three games were pleasing to win . . . but more importantly we played the way we wanted for development further down the track.”

Russell said contributions came from the whole team — including Reweti Ropiha, Saylarh Parker, Silas Brown, Mikaere Marino Moore and Matariki Kaa — “with some standout performances by Lochi Mead, Whetu King Taufa, Anaru Paenga Morgan, Irie Eyles, Caleb Billington and Kyran Russell”.

“The highlight was seeing the eyes light up on a big stage — 39 teams, grown from 18 when the tourney started — and improving each time they played,” Russell said.

“Lochi scored the quickest hat-trick (four minutes) against Horowhenua and then scored a fourth to cap an outstanding tournament.”

Russell said the players would now turn their attention to the school’s 15 campaign “then attend the local Condors, BoP Condors and National Condors”.

“Next year we hope to take more teams to the tournament — it’s one of the best and most professionally run.”

Feilding High School got their rugby season off to the perfect start by claiming the title for the first time. They beat Scots College 26-12 in the final.